I get it—resetting your Nintendo Switch feels risky. Nobody wants to lose their game progress or precious screenshots. But don’t worry, there’s a way to reset the console while keeping your save data safe. Let me walk you through it step by step.
Steps to Reset Without Losing Game Data
- Hold the power button on top of the Switch for a few seconds. A menu pops up. Pick Power Options, then hit Turn Off.
- Hold down both the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons at the same time. While holding them, press the Power button. Keep holding those volume buttons until a new menu appears. That’s Recovery Mode.
- In Recovery Mode, look for “Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data” option. Select it carefully. The system will warn you about what’s being erased—don’t panic! Your save data, screenshots, and account info stay intact. But heads up: downloaded games will need to be re-downloaded later, and all settings will reset to default.
Quick Tips
- Just in case, make sure your Nintendo account is linked so you can re-download games easily later.
- After resetting, head to the eShop to grab your games again—it’s free if you already own them!
- Once reset, tweak settings like Wi-Fi or parental controls back to how you like them.
Follow these steps, and you’ll have a fresh start without losing what makes your Switch yours.